Indiana is splashing the cash in local communities for some much-needed road and bridge upgrades. According to Johnson County legislators, the state's Community Crossings Matching Grant Program is writing big checks to the tune of over $2.9 million. This is all part of an effort to keep the wheels of local economies and school buses turning smooth on their daily journeys.
State Rep. Michelle Davis, a Republican from Whiteland, stated, "Well maintained roads and bridges are vital to our local economy, school transportation and for everyday commutes." "These grants," she added, "will help ensure our cities and towns continue to grow and thrive by investing in much-needed infrastructure projects." Standing on the sidelines of a bustling roadway, the source for this information comes from Indiana House Republicans' press release. The funds will cover a variety of infrastructure needs, from road reconstruction to bridge preservation.
Indiana's not just tossing money at any random stretch of asphalt or creaky bridge. The state has a game plan. According to the same press release, 245 communities across Indiana will receive more than $200 million in state matching grants this year. This isn't small potatoes when Consumer Affairs has just crowned Indiana as the top state for overall road conditions—something about low traffic fatalities and envy-worthy pavement.
Local recipients have cashed in big, with Franklin scoring $1.5 million, New Whiteland snagging $1.3 million, and Princes Lakes tucking away a cool $86,228. "Infrastructure investment is one of the best ways we can support our communities and prepare for future growth," as State Rep. Craig Haggard, a Republican from Mooresville, put it. He explained, "These grants will help make our local roadways safer and more efficient for all Hoosiers who live, work and travel our area," while buses carrying excited children, a familiar scene along these roads, darted past in the background, as detailed by Indiana House Republicans.
But there are strings attached, of sorts. The rule of the game here is matching funds. State Rep. Robb Greene, a Republican from Shelbyville, laid out the details: "To qualify for funding, smaller municipalities must provide a 25 percent match in local funds, while larger communities must provide a 50 percent match." And the state is keen on fair play, insisting that half the matching funds go annually to less populated areas—those boasting a population of under 50,000. This isn't a new game for Indiana; since 2016, Community Crossings has doled out upwards of $2 billion to keep local roads and bridges shipshape. And Greene quipped, "Indiana's roads are one of our state's most well-known qualities, and this funding will help us maintain our reputation as the 'Crossroads of America,'" when discussing how this funding will be one more notch in the state's belt, as per Indiana House Republicans.
